Floating nuclear reactor protection  system

ABSTRACT

A protection system is provided for protecting a nuclear reactor positioned on a barge which is floating in the water of a tank. The system includes one or more cones which are positioned on the upper end of the nuclear reactor which will disintegrate and deflect an aircraft or missile striking the same. The system also includes structure which permits the barge to move downwardly in the tank upon an aircraft or missile strike to reduce the impact force of the strike.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation-In-Part Application of application Ser. No.15/807,049 filed Nov. 8, 2017, entitled FLOATING NUCLEAR POWER REACTORWITH A SELF-COOLING CONTAINMENT STRUCTURE AND AN EMERGENCY HEAT EXCHANGESYSTEM.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a floating nuclear power reactor. Moreparticularly this invention relates to a floating nuclear power reactorincluding a barge which is floatably positioned in the interior of alarge water-filled tank or body of water and wherein the nuclear powerreactor is positioned on the barge. Even more particularly, theinvention relates to a protection system for a floating nuclear powerreactor to protect the nuclear reactor from an aircraft strike or amissile strike. Additionally, the protection system of this inventionincludes structure to reduce the impact forces of an aircraft strike ora missile strike.

Description of the Related Art

Applicant has received U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,378,855; 9,396,823; and9,502,143 relating to nuclear reactors positioned in a body of water tobe able to flood and cool the nuclear reactor in the event ofoverheating or over pressurization of the nuclear reactor. InApplicant's latest invention shown and described in the co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 15/807,049 filed Nov. 8, 2017, a suspension systemis described for suspending and stabilizing a barge which is floating ina large water tank. That system is incorporated herein which furtherenhances the protection of the nuclear reactor in the event of anaircraft strike or a missile strike.

In Applicant's co-pending patent application Ser. No. 15/807,049 filedNov. 8, 2017, the upper end of the barge, having the nuclear reactormounted thereon, is exposed to an aircraft strike or a missile strike.The instant invention is to provide a protection system for the nuclearpower reactor of the co-pending application and to provide protection toother exposed nuclear power reactors of different designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects oressential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summaryis not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of theclaimed subject matter.

A floating nuclear reactor is disclosed. The floating nuclear reactor ofthis invention includes a tank, which may be rectangular, having abottom wall, an upstanding first end wall, an upstanding second endwall, an upstanding first side wall and an upstanding second side wall.Each of the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall andthe second side wall of the tank have an outer side, an inner side, alower end and an upper end. The tank is partially buried in the groundwith the tank having water therein.

A barge is floatably positioned in the tank with the barge having abottom wall, a first end wall, a first side wall, a second side wall andan open second end. A nuclear reactor is positioned on the barge. Atleast one suspension assembly, and preferably two suspension assemblies,connect the first end wall of the barge to the first end wall of thetank. At least one suspension assembly, and preferably two suspensionassemblies, connect the first side wall of the tank to the first sidewall of the barge. At least one suspension assembly, and preferably twosuspension assemblies, connect the second side wall of the tank to thesecond side wall of the barge. At least one suspension assembly, andpreferably two suspension assemblies, connect the second end wall of thebarge to the second end wall of the tank.

The suspension assemblies permit the barge to move upwardly anddownwardly with respect to the tank while maintaining the barge in alevel condition. The suspension assemblies permit the barge to movedownwardly if struck by a missile or aircraft to lessen the impactthereof.

The nuclear reactor is positioned in the tank so as to close the opensecond end of the barge. The nuclear reactor may also be positioned in abody of water. The nuclear reactor includes a first containment memberwhich has a cylindrical body portion, a hemi-spherical upper end and ahemi-spherical lower end. The first containment member is comprised ofstainless steel or other suitable material. The first containment memberis positioned at the open end of the barge with the sides of thecontainment member being in engagement with the ends of the sidewalls ofthe barge so as to close the open end of the barge. The positioning ofthe first containment member causes the outer side of the firstcontainment member to be in contact with the water in the tank. Thefirst containment member defines a sealed interior compartment.

The first containment member has a hatch or door mounted thereon at thelower end thereof which selectively closes an opening in the firstcontainment member. The first containment member also has a pipeextending from the lower end thereof which is in fluid communicationwith the interior compartment thereof. A normally closed one-way valveis imposed in the pipe.

A reactor vessel is positioned in the interior compartment of the firstcontainment member. The nuclear reactor of the co-pending applicationhas a unique cooling system for the nuclear reactor which does not forma part of this invention.

A heat exchanger is positioned adjacent the first containment member andincludes a body section, an upper section and a lower section. The heatexchanger includes an outer wall member or second containment memberwhich is comprised of metal. A vessel is positioned within the secondcontainment member of the heat exchanger. The vessel has an interiorcompartment which is filled with fluid. The heat exchanger is connectedto a turbine or other device.

The suspension assemblies also permit the barge to move downwardly inthe tank in the event of an aircraft strike, a missile strike or anearthquake to reduce the impact forces on the barge and nuclear reactor.

A hollow steel conical-shaped member is mounted on the upper end of thefirst containment member of the nuclear reactor. A hollow steelconical-shaped member is also mounted on the upper end of the heatexchanger. If an aircraft or a missile should strike either of theconical-shaped members, the conical-shaped members would cause thedisintegration of the aircraft or missile and would deflect the same.

A roof is positioned over the upper end of the barge which hides thelocation of the nuclear reactor and heat exchanger from view so that anaircraft attempting to strike either the nuclear reactor or the heatexchanger will not know the precise position of those structures on thebarge.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the interior of theconical-shaped members on the upper ends of the nuclear reactor and theheat exchanger will be filled with a material which acts as an impactabsorbing member.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide afloating nuclear reactor protection system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a conical-shaped memberon the upper end of the nuclear reactor which will cause an aircraft ormissile to disintegrate upon impacting the conical-shaped member;

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a protection systemfor a floating nuclear reactor which includes a roof over the protectionsystem.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floating nuclear power reactor whereinthe nuclear reactor confinement member and the containment member of theheat exchanger have a conical-shaped member on the upper ends thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 except that a roofstructure is positioned over the nuclear reactor, the heat exchanger andthe barge;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the conical-shaped membersmounted on the upper ends of the nuclear reactor and the heat exchangerthereof with a roof extending thereover;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 except that theconical-shaped members are filled with an impact absorber material;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 except that theconical-shaped members on the nuclear reactor have a filtration materialtherein and a vent tube assembly therein; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view which illustrates the suspension assemblieswhich suspend the barge in the water-filled tank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to theaccompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way ofillustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments aredisclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as being limited to theembodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is,therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of thepresent invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Applicant has previously received U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,378,855; 9,396,823;and 9,502,143 relating to floating nuclear power reactors. Applicantincorporates the disclosure of the above identified patents in theirentirety by reference thereto to complete this disclosure if necessary.

The floating nuclear reactor of this invention is referred to generallyby the reference numeral 10. The nuclear reactor 10 floats in a concretetank 12 having a bottom wall 14, a first end wall 16, a second end wall18, a first side wall 20, a second side wall 22 and an open upper end24. Tank 12 is buried in the ground 26 as seen in FIG. 1 so that theopen upper end 24 of tank 12 is at or above ground level 28. The tank 12is partially filled with water 30 from a source of water. Preferably thewater 30 is gravity fed to the tank 12. The tank 12 may be completelyburied in the ground.

The numeral 32 refers to a barge-like vessel which floats in the tank12. Barge 32 includes a bottom wall 34, a first side wall 36, a secondside wall 38, a semi-circular end wall 40 and an open end 41 at the ends42 and 43 of side walls 36 and 38 respectively. Barge 32 is comprised ofa metal material such as stainless steel, steel, iron, aluminum or othersuitable material. Barge 32 is supported in tank 12 by a plurality ofupper suspension assemblies 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58 whichextend between the barge 32 and the tank 12 as will be described indetail hereinafter. Barge 32 is also supported in tank 12 by eight lowersuspension assemblies, identical to suspension assemblies 44, 46, 48,50, 52, 54, 56 and 58, which are positioned below suspension assemblies44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58.

The numeral 59 refers to a nuclear reactor which is positioned in barge32 so as to close the open end 41 of barge 32 as will be explained indetail hereinafter. Reactor 59 includes an upstanding containment member60 which has a cylindrical body portion 62, a hemi-spherical upper end64 and a hemi-spherical lower end 66. Containment member 60 is comprisedof stainless steel or other suitable material. Containment member 60 ispositioned at the open end 41 of barge 32 with the sides of containmentmember 60 being in engagement with the ends 42 and 43 of side walls 36and 38 respectively of barge 32 and being secured thereto by welding orthe like to close the open end 41 of barge 32. The positioning of thecontainment member 60 as just described causes the outer side ofcontainment member 60 to be in contact with the water 30 in tank 12.Containment member 60 defines a sealed interior compartment 68.

Containment member 60 has a hatch 70 mounted therein as seen in FIG. 3.Containment member 60 also has a pipe 72 extending from the lower endthereof which is in fluid communication with the interior compartment68. A normally closed one-way valve 74 is imposed in pipe 72.

A reactor vessel 75 is positioned in compartment 68 and has an interiorcompartment 76. Vessel 75 is supported in compartment 68 by braces 77which extend between the exterior of reactor vessel 75 and the interiorside of containment member 60 as seen in FIG. 3.

The numeral 80 refers to an upstanding heat exchanger which ispositioned adjacent containment member 60 as seen in the drawings. Heatexchanger 80 includes a body section 82, an upper section 84 and a lowersection 86. Heat exchanger 80 is comprised of a metal material such asstainless steel or other suitable material. A vessel 88 is positionedwithin heat exchanger 80 and is supported therein by braces 90 extendingtherebetween. Vessel 88 defines an interior compartment 92. A tube 94interconnects the reactor vessel 75 and the vessel 88 of heat exchanger80 as seen in the drawings. The heat exchanger 80 is connected to aturbine 96 or other device which is connected to a generator 98 or otherstructure.

A hollow metal cone 100 is mounted on the hemi-spherical upper end 64 ofcontainment member 60. Cone 100 is comprised of stainless steel, steelor other suitable material. Cone 100 has an interior compartment 102which is preferably filled with a filter material 104 which not only mayserve as a filtration bed but serves as an impact absorber should thecone 100 be struck by an aircraft or a missile. The cone 100, if struckby an aircraft or missile, will disintegrate or tear apart the aircraftor missile and deflect the aircraft or missile away from the cone 100.An outlet pipe 106 may be provided in the upper end of containmentmember 60 to permit steam or the like to pass upwardly therethrough ontothe filtration material 104.

The cone 100 may also have a discharge tube assembly 108 extendingupwardly from pipe 106 and which has discharge tubes 110 extendingdownwardly and outwardly from the upper end of tube 108.

A metal cone 112 extends upwardly from the upper end of heat exchanger80 and is filled with an impact absorbing material 114. Cone 112, ifstruck by an aircraft or missile, will disintegrate the aircraft ormissile in the same manner as the cone 100.

A roof 116 extends over the cones 100, 112 and the barge 32 to hide thereactor 59 and the heat exchanger 80 from view. Thus, if an aircraft isattempting to strike the reactor 59, the pilot of the aircraft will notbe able to determine the exact location of the reactor 59.

A pair of vertically disposed guide tracks or channels 120 and 122 aresecured to the inner side of end wall 18. A pair of vertically disposedguide tracks or channels 124 and 126 are secured to the inner side ofside wall 20. A pair of vertically disposed guide tracks or channels 128and 130 are secured to the inner side of end wall 16. A pair ofvertically disposed guide tracks or channels 132 and 134 are secured tothe inner side of side wall 22. Each of the guide tracks 120, 122, 124,126, 128, 130, 132 and 134 have an upper wheel and a lower wheelvertically movable therein. The guide tracks 134, 120, 122, 124, 126,128, 130 and 132 form a part of the suspension assemblies 44, 46, 48,50, 52, 54, 56 and 58 respectively.

In as much as the suspension assemblies 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 and58 are identical except for length, only suspension assembly 48 will bedescribed in detail. Suspension assembly 48 includes an upper chainmember 136, a lower chain member 138 and an intermediate chain member140. The outer ends of chain members 136, 138 and 140 are secured to theupper wheel in guide track 122. The inner ends of chain members 136, 138and 140 are secured to the barge 32. As seen, upper chain member 136extends upwardly and inwardly from guide track 122 to barge 32. As alsoseen, lower chain member 138 extends downwardly and inwardly from guidetrack 122 to barge 32. Further, as seen, intermediate chain member 140extends horizontally inwardly from guide track 122 to barge 32. Thesuspension assembly below suspension assembly 46 would be similarlyattached to the lower wheel in guide track 122 and the barge 32. Theother suspension assemblies would be attached to the guide tracks 124,126, 128, 130, 132 and 134 and the barge 32.

The suspension assemblies 44, 50, 56 and 58 are identical. Thesuspension assemblies 46, 48, 54 and 56 are identical. The onlydifference between the suspension assemblies 44, 50, 56, 58 and thesuspension assemblies 46, 48, 54 and 56 is that the suspensionassemblies 46, 48, 54 and 56 are somewhat longer than the suspensionassemblies 44, 50, 56 and 58. As stated in the co-pending patentapplication, the guide tracks or channels could be secured to the bargerather than being secured to the walls of the tank. In that embodiment,the ends of the chains of the suspension assemblies would be secured tothe tank.

Although it is preferred that each of the suspension assemblies have ahorizontally disposed intermediate chain member 140, the intermediatechain member 140 may be omitted in some situations.

If an aircraft or a missile should strike either of the cones 100 or112, the cones will disintegrate and deflect the aircraft or the missileto prevent damage to the nuclear reactor. Additionally, the impactabsorbing material in the cones 100 and 112 will lessen the damage tothe nuclear reactor. Further, if the barge 32 or the cones 100 and 112are struck by an aircraft or missile, the suspension systems will permitthe barge 32 to move downwardly in the tank 12 to lessen or absorb theimpact forces of the strike.

Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of itsstated objectives.

Although the invention has been described in language that is specificto certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understoodthat the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarilylimited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, thespecific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing theclaimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can bepracticed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

I claim:
 1. A floating nuclear reactor, comprising: a tank having watertherein which includes; (a) a horizontally disposed bottom wall having afirst end, a second end, a first side and a second side; (b) avertically disposed first end wall, having a first side, a second side,a lower end and an upper end, extending upwardly from said first end ofsaid bottom wall; (c) a vertically disposed second end wall, having afirst side, a second side, a lower end and an upper end, extendingupwardly from said second end of said bottom wall; (d) a verticallydisposed first side wall, having a first end, a second end, a lower endand an upper end, extending between said first ends of said first andsecond end walls; (e) a vertically disposed second side wall, having afirst end, a second end, a lower end and an upper end, extending betweensaid second ends of said first and second end walls; each of said firstend wall, said second end wall, said first side wall and said secondside wall of said tank having inner and outer sides; said tank beingpartially or completely buried in the ground; a barge, having a firstend, a second end, a first side and a second side, floatably positionedin said tank; an upstanding nuclear reactor positioned on said barge atsaid second end of said barge; said nuclear reactor including anupstanding first containment member having an upper end and a lower end;a first cone mounted on said upper end of said first containment memberwhich extends upwardly therefrom so that the apex of said cone isuppermost; and said first cone being comprised of a metal materialwhereby an aircraft or missile striking said first cone will bedisintegrated and deflected by said first cone.
 2. The floating nuclearreactor of claim 1 wherein said first cone is hollow.
 3. The floatingnuclear reactor of claim 2 wherein said first cone is filled with animpact reducer material.
 4. The floating nuclear reactor of claim 1wherein a second containment member, having an upper end, is positionedon said barge, and wherein a second cone is positioned on said upper endof said second containment member with said second cone being comprisedof metal material whereby an aircraft or missile striking said secondcone will be disintegrated and deflected by said second cone.
 5. Thefloating nuclear reactor of claim 4 wherein said second cone is hollow.6. The floating nuclear reactor of claim 5 wherein said second cone isfilled with an impact reducer material.
 7. The floating nuclear reactorof claim 1 wherein a roof extends over said barge and said first cone.8. The floating nuclear reactor of claim 4 wherein a roof extends oversaid barge and said first and second cones.
 9. The floating nuclearreactor of claim 1 wherein a suspension assembly connects said barge tosaid tank which permits said barge to move downwardly in said tankshould an aircraft or missile strike said first cone to absorb some ofthe impact experienced by said first cone.
 10. The floating nuclearreactor of claim 4 wherein a suspension assembly connects said barge tosaid tank which permits said barge to move downwardly in said tankshould an aircraft or missile strike either said first cone or saidsecond cone to absorb some of the impact experienced by said first coneor said second cone.
 11. The floating nuclear reactor of claim 2 whereinsaid first cone is filled with a filtration material.
 12. The floatingreactor of claim 1 wherein a roof extends over said barge and said firstcone and wherein a suspension system connects said barge to said tankwhich permits said barge to move downwardly in said tank should anaircraft or missile strike any part of said roof to absorb some of theimpact experienced by said roof.
 13. A floating nuclear reactor,comprising: a tank having water therein which includes; (a) ahorizontally disposed bottom wall having a first end, a second end, afirst side and a second side; (b) a vertically disposed first end wall,having a first side, a second side, a lower end and an upper end,extending upwardly from said first end of said bottom wall; (c) avertically disposed second end wall, having a first side, a second side,a lower end and an upper end, extending upwardly from said second end ofsaid bottom wall; (d) a vertically disposed first side wall, having afirst end, a second end, a lower end and an upper end, extending betweensaid first ends of said first and second end walls; (e) a verticallydisposed second side wall, having a first end, a second end, a lower endand an upper end, extending between said second ends of said first andsecond end walls; each of said first end wall, said second end wall,said first side wall and said second side wall of said tank having innerand outer sides; said tank being partially or completely buried in theground; a barge, having a first end, a second end, a first side and asecond side, floatably positioned in said tank; an upstanding nuclearreactor positioned on said barge at said second end of said barge; saidnuclear reactor including an upstanding first containment member havingan upper end and a lower end; a first cone mounted on said upper end ofsaid first containment member which extends upwardly therefrom so thatthe apex of said cone is uppermost; said first cone being comprised of ametal material whereby an aircraft or missile striking said first conewill be disintegrated and deflected by said first cone; a plurality ofsuspension assemblies connecting said barge to said tank; said pluralityof suspension assemblies permitting said barge to move only upwardly anddownwardly with respect to said tank; each of said suspension assembliesincluding: (a) a vertically disposed guide track, having upper and lowerends, mounted on said inner side of said tank; (b) a flexible chainassembly having inner and outer ends; (c) said outer end of said chainassembly being vertically movably secured to said guide tack; and (d)said inner end of said chain assembly being fixed to said barge.
 14. Thefloating nuclear reactor of claim 13 wherein each of said flexible chainassemblies includes an upper chain member, an intermediate chain memberand a lower chain member.
 15. The floating nuclear reactor of claim 13wherein each of said flexible chain assemblies includes an upper chainmember and a lower chain member.
 16. A floating nuclear reactor,comprising: a tank having water therein which includes; (a) ahorizontally disposed bottom wall having a first end, a second end, afirst side and a second side; (b) a vertically disposed first end wall,having a first side, a second side, a lower end and an upper end,extending upwardly from said first end of said bottom wall; (c) avertically disposed second end wall, having a first side, a second side,a lower end and an upper end, extending upwardly from said second end ofsaid bottom wall; (d) a vertically disposed first side wall, having afirst end, a second end, a lower end and an upper end, extending betweensaid first ends of said first and second end walls; (e) a verticallydisposed second side wall, having a first end, a second end, a lower endand an upper end, extending between said second ends of said first andsecond end walls; each of said first end wall, said second end wall,said first side wall and said second side wall of said tank having innerand outer sides; said tank being partially or completely buried in theground; a barge, having a first end, a second end, a first side and asecond side, floatably positioned in said tank; an upstanding nuclearreactor positioned on said barge at said second end of said barge; saidnuclear reactor including an upstanding first containment member havingan upper end and a lower end; a first cone mounted on said upper end ofsaid first containment member which extends upwardly therefrom so thatthe apex of said cone is uppermost; said first cone being comprised of ametal material whereby an aircraft or missile striking said first conewill be disintegrated and deflected by said first cone; a plurality ofsuspension assemblies connecting said barge to said tank; said pluralityof suspension assemblies permitting said barge to move only upwardly anddownwardly with respect to said tank; each of said suspension assembliesincluding: (a) vertically disposed guide track, having upper and lowerends, mounted on said barge; (b) a flexible chain assembly having innerand outer ends; (c) said inner end of said chain assembly beingvertically movably secured to said guide track; and (d) said outer endof said chain assembly being fixed to said tank.
 17. The floatingnuclear reactor of claim 16 wherein each of said flexible chainassemblies includes an upper chain member, an intermediate chain memberand a lower chain member.
 18. The floating nuclear reactor of claim 16wherein each of said flexible chain assemblies includes an upper chainmember and a lower chain member.
 19. A nuclear reactor, comprising: anupstanding containment member having a nuclear reactor vessel positionedtherein; said containment member having an upper end; a protective conemounted on the upper end of said containment member; said protectivecone extending upwardly from said upper end of said containment memberwhereby the apex of said protective cone is uppermost; and said conebeing comprised of a metal material whereby an aircraft or missilestriking said first cone will be disintegrated and deflected by saidcone.
 20. The floating nuclear reactor of claim 19 wherein said cone ishollow.
 21. The floating nuclear reactor of claim 20 wherein said coneis filled with an impact reducer material.
 22. The nuclear reactor ofclaim 19 wherein a roof extends over said cone.
 23. A nuclear reactor,comprising: an upstanding first containment member having a nuclearreactor vessel positioned therein; said first containment member havingan upper end; a protective cone mounted on the upper end of said fluidcontainment member; said protective cone extending upwardly from saidupper end of said first containment member whereby the apex of saidprotective cone is uppermost; a second containment member having anupper portion; a hollow protective cone mounted on said upper portion ofsaid second containment member which extends upwardly from said upperportion thereof whereby the apex of said protective cone is uppermost;and each of said protective cones being comprised of metal materialwhereby an aircraft or missile striking said protective cone will bedisintegrated and deflected by said cone.
 24. The nuclear reactor ofclaim 23 wherein said protective cones are hollow.
 25. The nuclearreactor of claim 23 wherein said protective cones are filled with animpact reducer material.
 26. The nuclear reactor of claim 23 wherein aroof extends over said protective cones.